Former Alaska Airlines pilot arraigned for flying drunk

A former Alaska Airlines pilot has
been arraigned on charges of flying for a commercial carrier while drunk, the
Justice Department reported Thursday.

David Hans Arntson, 60, recorded
blood alcohol levels of .134 and .142 during two random tests administered by
Alaska Airlines on June 20, 2014. The tests were taken after Arntson had landed
from piloting an Alaska Air flight between Portland and Orange County’s John Wayne
Airport. Previously that day, Arnston had also flown an Alaska flight between
San Diego and Portland.

Under federal law, a person flying a
“common carrier,” such as a commercial airline jet, is considered to be under
the influence of alcohol if his blood-alcohol level is .1 or higher.

Arntson was arraigned Wednesday in
federal court in Los Angeles, according to the Justice Department, and is free
on $25,000 bond. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

“Those in command of passenger
jets, or any other form of public transportation, have an obligation to serve
the public in the safest and most responsible way possible,” U.S.
Attorney Eileen Decker said in a statement. “We cannot and will not
tolerate those who violate the trust of their passengers by endangering lives.”

In a statement Friday, Alaska said
that it has a zero-tolerance policy for pilots and other employees who fail
alcohol and drug tests.

“Mr. Arntson was immediately
removed from duty. He refused to submit to an investigatory interview. Mr.
Arnston left the company before we were able to complete an investigation that
would have led to his termination," the airline said.